This was the ever-present request during our short time at the farm this year. Steve brought his fishing lures (sans hooks, of course) and had been promised a fishing pole of his very own. Papa did not disappoint! A shiny red and yellow Cars rod and reel were waiting when we arrived Friday afternoon.
Rewind, just a bit...Our trip to the farm was fabulous. Both boys are great travelers. Evan ate at 6:30 before we left, and made it until 11 when we stopped in Walcott for lunch before he needed to eat again. We did have to stop about 2 hours later at a rest area so he could eat again, but then we made it to the farm. And there weren't any major breakdowns from Steve either. He didn't even ask to watch a movie! I think he was so excited to get there he could hardly stand it, and thus didn't really want to nap. We arrived, after getting out of town around 7:45 a.m., shortly after 4:00. It was a good drive.
The farm is all about memories..the ones already made and the new ones in the making. Every time we go, I'm overwhelmed with the feelings of still missing my grandpa and all of the memories I have of time there with him. But, then I see the smiles on Steve's face as he creates his own memories with Nana and Papa. And the sadness is replaced with joy. And contentment. And peace.
So, what did we do while at the farm? Hydrated! It was ridiculously hot there, just as it was everywhere else around the U.S. Although to me, that was to be expected. It's southern Iowa in July. We couldn't spend too much time outside without lots of water, and an occasional trip inside to the air conditioning. I know, you're probably thinking that a farm house should not have AC. Thank goodness Grandma Drennan won that battle several years ago!
Steve and Papa went fishing at least once every day. They are both early risers so usually that trip was first thing in the morning before the heat settled in. I've heard that Steve is a natural at this fishing business. I didn't get to go down to the pond with them, but there are pictures (I've been told), and Papa had nothing but great things to say about him. Steve even has the describing abilities of a true fisherman: when asked how big the fish were that he caught with Papa, he will proudly stretch his hand up over his head and say "thiiiiissss big"!
Papa brought his golf cart down from Atlantic. He said it was because he thought Steve would enjoy riding around in it. I think it also helped having it so that no one overexerted themselves in the heat. We used it to move stuff around and pick things up. Steve even got to drive the golf cart (not to mention, Papa's Hawkeye truck!).
There was swinging. There were sprinklers. There were bubbles. There were squirt guns (and real guns for the big boys). There was homemade ice cream (yum!).
I think the biggest highlight of the trip, though, for everyone was this. Steve and Evan got to meet their adorable cousin, Frances. She was born 15 days after Evan and is so sweet.
We also had a birthday bash for Nana. Several of their friends came down for brats, hot dogs, and beers. And probably to meet the three cutest kids ever! Tammy, Valerie, and Catherine came down to see us, as did Jessie (who I hadn't seen since the Mother's Day weekend before Steve was born). The time was short, but great.
Unfortunately, the next time we head to the farm, the landscape will have changed even more. The barn is beyond repair and must be torn down. I think that is happening in either August or September. The barn was not a regular hang-out of mine when visiting the farm as little girl, unless Grandpa was there...I tended to follow him around a lot. I think the most time I spent in there was the time I spent searching for mama cats and their kittens. But, it is part of the view, and it will be missed.
Evan adapted pretty well to the change in sleeping accommodations (that doesn't look like it's spelled correctly...). The first night he didn't want to go back to sleep, and I thought it was the different bed, heat, etc. But he's been pulling the same stunt here at home this week, so I think it's more him than the farm.
I'm sure I've missed something. Oh yeah...Pictures! Matt weeded through the 700+ that he took while we were there and you can see the best, and not so best, here.
Nana always says you should stop by. Well, you should. It's totally worth it. Even if it is only for a few hours, I guarantee you'll leave at least feeling a bit more relaxed.
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